a resolution rejecting the bids for construction of the Fishing Pier Project (4f)

a resolution approving a lease amendment with New Village School (4g)

a proclamation honoring Diane Poslowsky (4h)

Find out about the hearing on the proposed Sanitary Sewer Fee effective FY 2014-15 (5A)

Find out about an update on the Tour Bus Activity and remedies for complaints (6A)

Find out more about the Priority Calendar Projects proposed to Council(6B)

To find out more about any of the items being presented to the City Council, click here to
review the agenda and associated staff reports. Remember, you can also
post an opinion on a specific agenda item by clicking on this link and
scrolling down to that agenda item. Then simply click on the "comment"
and type away in the text box and hit "submit". This enables the Council
to see your comments prior to the Council meeting.

CITY SEWER UPDATE

As you may know, Sausalito’s 75-year-old sewer system is deteriorated and needs upgrades. Ensuring we have updated pipes and infrastructure to properly and safely transport sewage is essential to protecting our environment, continuing to comply with clean water requirements, and maintaining a healthy, safe community.

The City Council and Finance Committee has thoroughly discussed sewer infrastructure investment and maintenance alternatives, financial plan findings, cost of service allocation and development of a rate alternative during ten public meetings from September 2013 to March 2014.

The City has identified the initial critical need for $5 million dollars in priority sewer system projects and emergency repairs over the next five years. Rate payers have received a notice about a proposed rate structure to make these improvements, including written protest procedures. Proposed homeowner rates include an average increase of about $50 annually, or about $4 per month. Rates for condos, apartments, and commercial properties vary.

The City is proposing equitable rates that ensure all rate payers share in the cost of necessary sewer upgrades and system maintenance in proportion to the cost of serving each class of customers. All funds raised by sewer fees are legally required to stay in Sausalito, are subject to annual independent audits, and must be spent to improve our sewer system. A public hearing will be conducted on May 6 offering property owners the opportunity to comment on this issue.

In past years, the City of Sausalito has seen a steady increase in the number of bicycle riders coming into the City and then taking a ferryboat ride back to San Francisco. As the number of riders grows, so does the concern for safety issues involving the interaction of bicyclists, vehicles, and pedestrians. In addition, the number of bikes coming into our City has exceeded the capacity of the current bicycle parking areas.

With summer just around the corner, the City has taken proactive measures to increase tourist safety, find additional bicycle parking and encourage additional ferry runs.

After meetings with local merchants and careful review, Chief Jennifer Tejada and Public Works Director Jonathon Goldman proposed a pilot project to improve upon last year’s changes. This plan, which includes the closure of Tracy Way for bicycle parking, was presented to the City Council and approved. This closure has allowed staff to add additional bicycle parking in the downtown area and reduce the interaction of bicycles and motor vehicles. During this closure, El Portal became a two-way street with areas where motorists can quickly drop off passengers. All changes to the El Portal –Tracy Way area are temporary and can be easily restored back to their original design after the end of tourist season.

In addition to meeting with the merchants, the Department also held its annual pre-season bicycle meeting. City Staff met with representatives of the ferry companies, Sausalito Chamber of Commerce, Marin Bicycle Coalition, and the bicycle rental companies to discuss the upcoming tourist season. The main focus of this meeting was to address bicycle safety issues along with resident and merchant concerns.

Staff facilitated several discussions that stressed the importance of the rental companies providing proper bicycle safety instructions and rules of the road handouts to bicycle renters, requiring bicycle renters to wear helmets, parking bicycles in designated areas, and increasing the number of ferry trips during peak times. Staff has also requested that the ferry companies, Sausalito Chamber of Commerce, and the rental companies work together to increase the amount of staffing at the reservation kiosk and at the ferry dock.

With these changes and recommendations, along with on-going meetings with the Chamber of Commerce, merchants, citizens, ferry and bicycle rental companies, the City is working diligently to lessen the impact of bicycles in Sausalito.

LIBRARY

Special EventMarin Open Studios: Gabrielle Moore-Gordon
Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4 - 11am to 6pm inside the Library

Marin Open Studios is an annual, free, self-guided art tour in Marin County that takes place the first two weekends in May. The Sausalito Public Library is proud to be hosting an artist in 2014, painter and Sausalito resident Gabrielle Moore-Gordon. Moore-Gordon's painting education began in Switzerland and continued for many years in Hong Kong. Her African up-bringing and a fascination with Eastern art techniques culminate in unusual and interesting work. This has helped her to express her deep concern, not only for the people of her troubled country, Zimbabwe, but also for the endangered wildlife of our planet. Her endeavor is to bring greater awareness to the plight of our vanishing wildlife and to the suffering in the country of her birth, as well as to the delights of the birds and wildlife in our own backyard in California.

Sausalito Library Speaker SeriesStars & Strikes: Baseball and America in the Bicentennial Summer of ‘76
Thursday, May 8 - 7:00pm in the Council Chambers

America, 1976: colorful, complex, and combustible, a place of Bicentennial celebrations and busing riots, Olympic glory and Legionnaire’s Disease. On the diamond, the 1976 season witnessed the crowning of the Cincinnati “Big Red Machine” dynasty, George Steinbrenner's first World Series with the Yankees, and the heroics of Mike Schmidt, Mark Fidrych, and George Brett. Join us to hear journalist, pop-culture historian, and avid baseball fan Dan Epstein read from his new book from St. Martin’s Press, Stars & Strikes: Baseball and America in the Bicentennial Summer of ’76.

Join us on May 4th for May the Force Be With You. Prepare for blast off with Jedi Training, galactic activities, and snacks from the Library’s Cantina. Perfect for ages 5 and up, but anyone interested in light speed travel and fighting the Dark Side is welcome.

Spring 2014 Museum Docent SeriesAction and Reaction: The Avant-Garde at the Turn of the 20th Century
Tuesday, May 6, 2:00pm - Council Chambers

Marsha Holm, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco docent

What makes progressive art not just new and different, but something that will have a long-term impact? Something that will make future artists act and react? Join us for this lively lecture that puts works by Cezanne, Van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso, and others in the context of their times.

At each meeting, Tom offers an engaging preview of an upcoming Metropolitan Opera performance, including background on the composer and opera and commentary on audio and video selections from past performances. Meetings take place on the Tuesday before the Saturday morning Live in HD simulcast — screened locally at Sausalito’s CinéArts theater. All are welcome! No advance registration required!

PARKS AND RECREATION

At their special meeting on Tuesday, May 6, the Parks and Recreation Commission will consider an application for a special event sponsored by the Marin General Hospital Foundation.

The Marin General Hospital Foundation is proposing to hold their annual fundraising gala on Saturday May 17th from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Sausalito Yacht Harbor Parking Lot. The event will consist of two large tents with ancillary vehicles and tents contained within the parking lot. Inside the tents there will be a stage and seating for approximately 500 guests. Live music will be played from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

As part of the approval process a public hearing will be held on Tuesday May 6, 2014 during the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in the Edgewater Room at City Hall, 420 Litho Street. Comments may be submitted to MLangford@ci.sausalito.ca.us.
For additional information go to the website to view submitted documents and City Staff Report.

Sausalito Village will feature a presentation by fitness and wellness educator, Jayah Faye, at Sausalito City Hall, 420 Litho Street, Sausalito, on Wednesday, May 14 at noon. Ms. Paley will discuss skills to improve balance, navigate obstacles, and strengthen muscles. Participants are advised to bring a brown bag lunch. This program is open to the community and free of charge.

Jayah Faye Paley is a fitness and wellness educator, and an AFAA and ACE certified Personal Trainer. She presents hiking, walking and fitness seminars for national and state park associations and health related organizations around the country. For over 15 years, she has trained people of all ages, abilities and physical conditions as well as hikers, athletes, trainers and physical therapists how to use POLES to achieve, regain and maintain mobility for hiking and walking. Her website, PolesForMobility.com, helps people all over the world demystify the pole learning and selection process.

TIP OF THE MONTH FROM YOUR BOARDS/COMMITTEES AND STAFF

from your Disaster Preparedness Committee

Guidelines for the Management of Water Supplies
During emergencies or disasters, the key aspects for managing your water supplies are:

Essentials

Water Resources

Water Treatment

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